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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sharpe do with the newly arrived unit?

2. What happens just as the French begin their final massive attack?

3. What does Sharpe hope to do after the first French attack?

4. What do Sharpe and Harper do when they see the British attack faltering?

5. What does Frederickson repel at the watch tower?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe capture first at the castle and how does he do it?

2. What are the first actions Sharpe takes after the war council?

3. What happens after the French retreat?

4. Who does Shapre meet from the French forces and how does that meeting go? How do the French feel about the British?

5. How do the French respond after the first two attacks?

6. What do the British do when they capture the castle and what do some of Pot-au-Fea's men do?

7. What happens to the first two French attacks?

8. What happens to Hakeswill when the French arrive?

9. What happens to the convent due to Harper's actions?

10. Who is spotted in the village that surprises Sharpe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Germany.

Essay Topic 2

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Sharpe's Enemy qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in Sharpe's Enemy are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Enemy and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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